Pavels Dog
Registered User
It's just reality for most players that aren't top 10-15 picks or at least 1st rounders, even some that turn out really, really good.Exactly. While I certainly don't expect guys taken outside the top 5 to be perennial Calder candidates, if a forward isn't making noise by his 3rd year, the odds of him ever being an impact player at the NHL level are slim. Defensemen get a little longer leash, but acting like 5 years is nothing for player evaluations is being too patient in today's NHL.
Not to mention the contract implications of continuing to over ripen players, having fewer of their cheap years with the big club.
D+1-2 in juniors.
D+2-4 in AHL with possible call-ups
D+3-5 establishing themselves in the NHL
And for some it takes a little while beyond that to actually hit their prime, especially d-men and goalies who can often be at their best in their late 20s or even 30s.